IUCN threat status:

Comprehensive Description

The virgin nerite, Neritina virginea, is a common intertidal gastropod in Florida belonging to the family Neritidae. Members of this family are characterized by a small, globular shell, and a calcareous operculum bearing one small, pointed hook at the end (Abbott & Morris 1995). The extremely polished shell of the virgin nerite has a semiglobular shape, with 3-4 whorls. Shell color is variable, and may be red, black, grayish green, tan or yellow, usually marked with lines and dots of black or purple (Abbott & Morris 1995, Andrews 1935). The operculum is smooth and generally black, closing on an oval aperture with a thin outer tip (Martins et al. 2002).